Troops supposedly willing to sacrifice pay for training and equipment

As you all know, I served in the US Army for 22 years. When I first entered active duty we still had “pay day activities” and pay officers. I remember the days as a young lieutenant dressed in Class A uniform, issued a .45-caliber sidearm and a personal guard with M16 rifle and we went down and signed for a briefcase of cash. Soldiers would line up to receive their pay — this was before direct deposit, so now I am dating myself. The troops would stand there after they reported, “Sir, PFC Jones reporting for pay” and watch me count out their pay and present them with their pay stub. If there was one thing troops liked, it was pay day.

And so a recent story in Military.com really has me scratching my head. According to the story, “Senior Pentagon officials told Congress last Tuesday that troops are willing to sacrifice portions of their pay and benefits if it means keeping and improving the training and equipment needed to do their jobs.

Personnel officials from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the Department of Defense met with the House Armed Services’ Military Personnel subcommittee to talk about cuts to pay and benefits the Pentagon is proposing for its upcoming budget. These include a smaller pay raise — 1 percent raise, an average 5 percent reduction in housing allowances, and higher health care fees for some retirees.

Military leaders say personnel costs make up about a third of their budgets and remain the fasting growing portion. Unless the trend is slowed and reversed, manning costs will eventually make it impossible to meet other funding needs, the military brass has said. “That’s why we are asking for a 1 percent [troop pay increase] instead of a 2 or higher percentage, so we can slow that growth of a military member’s pay and also be able to bolster their readiness and bolster the modernization,” Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica Wright said.

However, the personnel officials who offered testimony before the subcommittee could offer only personal anecdotes to back up their belief that troops would welcome pay and benefit cuts. No survey results were offered.

I sat on the HASC Subcommittee on Military Personnel and I find this proposal – in actuality a false choice — quite disturbing. We should not be forcing our men and women in uniform to choose between a paycheck and training. I find it unconscionable that we are right now spending how many billions of dollars advertising for Obamacare and trying to fix a broken website? Those funds could have gone to our military men and women. Recently the Congress made an ill-fated decision to cut COLA for military and medically service-related retirees, a cost savings of $6 billion. As we reported there are fewer than one million Americans who fit into this category in our nation.

I am sick of the insanity of punishing our military to be the bill payers for more wasteful spending in Washington DC. The Constitution clearly states, “provide for the common defense” but instead the Obama administration believes in “providing for the common welfare.”

Miitary.com reports that veterans’ organizations, which often speak for the services’ rank and file, have opposed many of the proposed cuts. The veterans groups, including the Association of the U.S. Navy and The American Legion, back a 1.8 percent raise that is tied to the formula worked out by the Employment Cost Index of the Labor Department.

This is why we need more lawmakers on Capitol Hill who have recently served in uniform. We are breaking our promise to those who are the best amongst us, our “guardians of the Republic.” Instead of Obama offering empty campaign-style largesse, such as increasing the minimum wage to $10 for government contract workers — he should have focused on the real income inequality — the compensation of those willing to give the last full measure of devotion.

I have an idea? Let those on welfare go serve in the military. Cut the govt spending, cut the pork being passed in bills, cut freebies to illegals, stop putting $billions in a failed #Obamacare, and cut the salaries of the idiots in DC. There should be enough then to pay service for their service and buy the equipment needed!

The_Patriot

Oh I can see it now, The give the signal to attack and the soldiers line up for chow or gripe and complain that the pants fit to good, that they can’t wear them down to their knees

Reba

They wouldn’t run far with their low pants. The first time they almost break their neck, they would be changing clothes. It would teach them what life is about and teach them responsibility. I would much rather see them in the Military versus sitting at home and not accomplishing anything in life and living off the government? (We could always call it the Obama and Mooch Children Camp), until there broken in and trained).

Why the whole thing? People have always joined the Military to have a better life and to earn a pay check and benefits. Why wouldn’t it be a good idea?

diditweetthat

Oh, is that what you said here?

Let me clarify, the beginning and end.

“They wouldn’t run far with their low pants. The first time they almost break their neck, they would be changing clothes. ….

(We could always call it the Obama and Mooch Children Camp), until there broken in and trained).”

diditweetthat

crackah plz!

The_Patriot

Sacrificing pay for training is ludicrous at best. This administration is openly showing its contempt for the Military and it’s People by cutting the military budgets yet spend Billions without hesitation for barrycare. They throw billions in aid to the “Rebels” in Syria and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
No one at Capitol Hill Challenges, the Lunatic in Chief, on these expenditures. This needs to stop Now!

Reba

How true! I wonder if Kerry and Hagel are taking a pay cut. I would love to see White House cuts.

ThomNJ

Spot on.

James Raymond Lane

Get ALL of our troops back here to the US. Get ALL foreign troops out. Close our borders to illegals and send the ones who are here back where they came from. Quit sending money to countries that should be paying their own way and keep it here to help the US troops. It is SO sad that the “powers that be” are screwing the American military so they can have more money and power. The book of Revelation is coming true and if people don’t wake up we are ALL lost.

Pamela K. Cahoon Laub

Don’t send huge amounts of money and goods to countries who hate us. The hold us in disdain for doing it. Let them hate us for free. Americans, including the military, need that money.

Seamus Harper

No Way is any armed force member willing to give up money, sorry bills have got to be paid !
This lie told from the Obama spin factory just isn’t being believed.
I’m sure if our nations defense is at risk the elected law makers,supreme court judges and all those people on welfare won’t mind giving up their money !
Then again just deport the 11 plus million illegal invaders and the money crisis would be solved!
FYI All members of the armed service have to pay their bills or risk fines,lose of rank and jail time…something the Obama spin factory folks never knew when putting out this left wing story!

Brendan

Obama does a lot of things wrong… but it’s Congress that decides how money for the military is spent.
And they would rather that money go to defense contracts in their districts than to our actual servicemen.

El Gato

That’s true, but it’s the President and his staff who are putting out this story. They are also the ones who propose a budget..

Brendan

So long as certain congressmen can still have contracts for companies in their districts manufacturing equipment for the military that the military doesn’t need just to keep their constituents happy… our men in uniform will continue to be screwed over.

del

Apparently it’s no longer the US Military and it’s now the Israeli Military.

del

I’m not fooled by the color.

Dan Nowotarski

You would think the President of the United States would step up and say if they’re willing to do this than I am too, but as we’ve come to find out President Obama nor the First Lady lead by example. – God Bless America, Israel, the NRA and all Real Freedom Fighting Patriots.

Su Pripar

Good grief– it is not the fault of the service members that their pay takes a big chunk out of the budget. Get this: “Senior Pentagon officials told Congress last Tuesday that troops are willing to sacrifice portions of their pay and benefits if it means keeping and improving the training and equipment needed to do their jobs.” That is crap. Of course, if one is approached by a flag officer who asks them to sacrifice what the hell is one to say? No? I guess it is time for all service members to get out of the military. Then let us see just how the government reacts. It is a travesty of justice to ask service members to sacrifice while welfare recipients are living high on the hog and using their food stamp cards to buy liquor, lobster, and pole dancing!

Philanthropussy

And fat cat Wall Street ers are foreclosing families and getting 20m year end bonuses .

Darla Buckland

I have been fighting a foreclosure since 2009. What some of these Wall Street (actually Big Banks) do is unbelievable. This one is my mother’s house. It is so nice to think that people on welfare are such a drain on the economy .
And no one has even stopped to consider many Veterans lost their home as well.
They lose their home, or go broke trying to fight it.
Then they join the ranks of being on welfare.
It is not majority of people who are lazy that needs help.
It is Veterans and Senior Citizens.

The Benefits bill Would also have helped in these areas .

Philanthropussy

After the dust settles on Ft Hood and after the gov duck and cover as well as finger pointing. I hope something gets done about the military . What is happening is so crazy.
I don’t mean to sound insenivive, but why are so many troops coming back damaged compared to other wars? Viet nam was rough, so was WW2. Thoses soliders wore less body armore than today’s. Were dropped for weeks in country with less intel . I know they must of had problems once they came home, but nothing like today’s troops. The troop suicides , the violence . No idea .

Darla Buckland

Those are my thoughts as well.
I have a few opinions because I have given this a lot of thought. I have also actively been involved in some groups who are actively trying to resolve these issues.

A few years ago my 18 yr. old nephew lived with me, he was a Sr. in high school.
One weekend his friend was on leave and he and his school mates went to a friends house to see him. (see yes party)
There were 9 people there all ages 18-20
The friend as the party was winding down, went downstairs put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

It was a block away from my house.
My nephew came home where I was at a loss to try to come up with something, anything to say when he repeatedly asked “WHY”.

All these teens ran downstairs after hearing the shot. I can not begin to imagine what they saw.
The police would not allow him, or anyone else to even call an adult. I could have been there in less than 5 min. My nephew needed me there while standing outside .
What about the others who after this happened were just allowed to drive home, they had been drinking and traumatized. (Police didn’t even consider that, not blaming them for that)
But I am blaming them for knowing 4 of the boys there were still in school regardless of the fact they were 18 they are not adults. I am an adult and I would have wanted someone who cared about me to be there to hug me.

Why the difference? I think part of it is longer life expectancy. You may get my opinion that regardless of what the law says , not all 18 yr olds are adults you can’t throw them in the deep end.

Until Vietnam When a person went to war it was because of a cause they believed in enough to fight for.
They had pride in their efforts.
The Government respected them as did the people around them.

Vietnam brought a whole different mentality. The protesters were protesting the Government.
The Government allowed this disrespect to be channeled to the Service members.
My Uncle’s told me how they expected a thank you when they arrived home.
He was spit on.

Had the ‘powers that be’ instead had a small gathering holding ‘Welcome Home’ These protesters would not have gathered to voice their frustration on the service members.
What we go to war for now is more of a continuation of Vietnam.
It is more about profit and political posturing than fighting for what one believes in.
Gone are the days that most view violence as a last resort.
There voices are not heard so they resort to violence.

How can a service member who has been willing to sacrifice their life for a cause heal when they find out it was all a game and they were merely a pawn.

Philanthropussy

Sorry you and your nephew had to go thru that. I understand your com paradigm bet WW2 and Nsm. I’m glad you, as a country, finally gave those Nam vets the credit they were denied back then.

Darla Buckland

President Obama declared a Vietnam day , it was so not recognized . In fact the second year Fox reported as the first.

Philanthropussy

Cities and states have “Days” where they commemorate people or things too. Have you heard of the Rolling Thunder ? It’s a motorcyle bike rally on DC for Nam vets. They go from Va to the memorial. Very impressive , thousands of bikes show up from all over .

Darla Buckland

I have heard of them. A guy here has went . Here are a few notes I filed about what Pres. Obama and the Dems have accomplished . The Westboro one I watched him sign which prevented a protest at a Service I was attending Mon. The police didn’t even know that (or wouldn’t admit) that they had planned to be there an hour before. Now they could have been arrested.
(most of these have pictures kind of hard to deny)

Feb 17, 2014 | by Darlene Superville

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — President Barack Obama on Saturday signed separate measures into law to lift the federal debt limit and restore benefits that had been cut for younger military retirees.

Obama signed the bills during a weekend golf vacation in Southern California.

Separate legislation passed in December would have held annual cost-of-living increases for veterans age 62 and younger to 1 percentage point below the rate of inflation, beginning in 2015. The measure was designed to hold the line on the soaring cost of government benefit programs, which have largely escaped trillions of dollars in deficit cuts over the past three years.

The cuts were enacted less than two months ago, with a projected savings to the government of $7 billion over a decade. Veterans groups and some lawmakers said the cut was a mistake, and they began campaigning to have the benefits restored.

President Obama signed a bill today designed to improve veterans’ health care, help homeless veterans and prevent political protests near military funerals.

Also said Obama:

The second part of this bill that I want to highlight — prohibit protesting within 300 feet of military funerals during the two hours before and two hours after a service.

I supported this step as a senator. I am very pleased to be signing this bill into law. The graves of our veterans are hallowed ground.

And obviously we all defend our Constitution and the First Amendment and free speech, but we also believe that when men and women die in the service of their country and are laid to rest, it should be done with the utmost honor and respect.

At War notes from the front line.

President Obama Signs Veterans Tax Credit Bill

By JAMES DAO NOVEMBER 21, 2011, 2:20 PM

If anyone doubted that veterans remain potent political symbols, they need look no further than Congress’s ability to set aside partisan gridlock last week and overwhelmingly enact legislation providing tax credits to businesses that hire veterans. Flanked by veterans advocates, President Obama signed the bill into law this morning.

The “VOW to Hire Heroes Act” will provide tax credits of up to $2,400 for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks; up to $5,600 for hiring veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months; and up to $9,600 for businesses that hire veterans who have service-connected disabilities and have been unemployed longer than 6 months.

Philanthropussy

You gave my eyes a workout. Thanks for the info . I hope your time on the research didn’t take time away from family time.

Darla Buckland

Not at all I already knew about this. I keep a few files on my computer . They come in handy .

Philanthropussy

Me too . You should see my office wall. Any defense I need is at arms reach.

Darla Buckland

I like your idea better!

Philanthropussy

No, it’s too consuming .

Darla Buckland

It was The Republicans in Congress that voted these benefits down , look it up!

pokamitch

The Senate is controlled by the democrats. Look up the vote and who voted, before you repeat lies

Philanthropussy

Sorry , but the reps added sanctions for Iran in the military spending bill. I don’t know why the reps would want to high jack an important bill, maybe you know why? The dems had every right to vote it down . What does one have to do with the other ? Also, I find it interesting how quite West was about the bill losing.

pokamitch

Great point Phil. Sanctions should have been a separate issue and both should have been voted on individually.

Darla’s statement is still incorrect.

Philanthropussy

Thanks. Some people said the bill would cost too much, true that . To mr, it seemed no one was willing to compromise . There was money in there for job training. Take the little BS out and leave important things . Of course, both parties have no problem using their ” support” for the troops in their speaches.

Darla Buckland

The GOP added sanctions to Iran
Bernie Sanders the author of the Bill and Head of Veterans Affairs , didn’t want this in there, nor did he want the bill cut.

All the Veterans organizations wanted this bill to pass.

Philanthropussy

Shhhhh, it’s very dangerous to be informed and know this issues . Dumb it up, girl

Darla Buckland

Is it knowing the issues or naming names? I keep getting confused.

Philanthropussy

No, you were right . I was making a joke. Not many know the reason for that bill to have failed. Reps good, demos bad

Darla Buckland

I Knew you were kidding. Just seems like every one knows the issues they just don’t know the names of who is doing what. This one was to important to me to sit back and let someone try to blame it on someone else.

Philanthropussy

They don ‘t know the issues. Just toe the party line and blame Obama. It’s sad, but stand your ground and don ‘t take offense to insults . They will be the first to back off bec they gave no substance .

Darla Buckland

I don’t back down. Sometimes I should slow down. I am well aware the pattern of arguing with a person who has no facts. They start the name calling, then they start correcting your grammar/spelling. And the distraction.

And then there are the few on here that actually nice people and believe in what they believe. It’s pretty easy to tell the difference.

Philanthropussy

High 5

Darla Buckland

Back at you!! I had 6 kids today, I am beat and can’t sleep!
I needed that high 5

Philanthropussy

What do you think about FROZEN? I ask bec my son is 24 and it’s been a while since we have seen a Disney movie . I am totally out the loop, but hear that movie is very popular.

Darla Buckland

The kids love this movie , I haven’t watched it.

Philanthropussy

I thought it was just another Disney movie about a princess getting into trouble . Apparently I am wrong bec this movie just become the most profitable animated movie ever. It made something like a billion $$. AND that song is everywhere . I feel like I just woke up . Maybe I should go back to sleep and wait for the next big movie to come out.

Darla Buckland

I almost know that song by heart. Even the 3 yr old sings it.
I may watch it sometime this week, but I just don’t watch movies.
I don’t go to the movies in the last 13 yrs I have went 3 times. The Last time I went was to see Ring of Fire. before that Cars.

The kids make so much noise I keep the tv off when I am there. Maybe that would be a good incentive for them after dinner to eat and get homework finished.

Philanthropussy

I love going to the movies, but I ‘me very picking about which ones. And not on a sunny day . Sometimes I’ll do the Red Box. It’s a vending machine with dvd’s it in. The weekend my cable company has free HBO. So while I’m working on the computer I’ll listen to a movie.

Darla Buckland

I have netflix , I can check out movies from the library, I just don’t like to watch tv much. And I try to watch a movie , I fall asleep! Tomorrow I am going to watch Flight while I sew since I can do it online we will see how that goes.

Philanthropussy

I have so much to do tonight. I have to put a presentation together for Friday . I have most of it is written in my head , but I have to do some internet work. I’m constantly pushing my start time off.,

Darla Buckland

I do that also. Starting is just so hard and I can’t figure out why.

Darla Buckland

The Republicans tabled the bill. It is not going to the Senate because the Dems in the Senate will pass it.

The Senate voted 56-41 to waive an extra budget point of order made against the bill – four votes short of what was needed to move the legislation onto a full Senate vote – ending floor consideration of the measure.

“Today, the Senate had a chance to put aside partisan politics and do what was right for the men and women who have sacrificed so much while wearing our nation’s uniform,” Dellinger said. “Instead, we saw the same political gamesmanship that led our federal government to a shutdown last fall. There was a right way to vote and a wrong way to vote today, and 41 senators chose the wrong way. That’s inexcusable.”

Darla Buckland

I did.

feralcat

What soldier would not be willing to take a cut in pay if it meant that Mooch and her entourage of moochers could go on another royal vacation or a few score more?

Pamela K. Cahoon Laub

MO did say people needed to take a smaller piece of the pie. She never said it would be her or her family.

Philanthropussy

Funny, people said the same thing about Nancy Reagan’s designer dresses.

R Durkin

Two wrongs don’t make a right…

Philanthropussy

4 lefts make NASCAR

QuantumVerp

‘I
could wipe my ass with the Constitution and burn the flag and I would
still be more ‘patriotic’ than the generals who sell hammers to the
military for $100!’.

El Gato

Um, the Generals are buying the hammers, not selling them.

But actually it’s civilan DoD employees. The cost appears so high because of all the non functional “requirements” that are laid on the contractors, and many of those requirements derive from laws passed by Congress.

My mother used to complain about how much harder it was to “print and pack” automotive and other “belts”, destined for the military, rather than Ford or GM, or your local Goodyear store.

QuantumVerp

Well ok. Only because I would rather believe in the ‘generals’ who will either save us or have us all destroyed…

Maybe not ok…

Cirran

Political officers are now the norm. The fine art of military expertise and leadership are lacking in todays AirForce. I see it every day, more worried about telling Christians to sit down and shut up, SARC (only men are guilty of sexual assault), how will this make me look military managers aka officers.
SSgt USAFR

Philanthropussy

I have no idea where you are getting your info .

Cirran

Sir or Ma’am,
I live it every day.

Philanthropussy

Please example .

Darla Buckland

It has been 3 days I would provide evidence of lack of leadership (Just to help this poster out) April 20, 2012

“The agency also announced Friday that a 12th Secret Service “employee has been implicated,” having previously said 11 were under investigation.

One employee “has been cleared of serious misconduct, but will face administrative action,” the Secret Service said.

Five employees are on administrative leave and have had their security clearances temporarily revoked.

In addition, the U.S. military is investigating 11 of its own troops for possible heavy drinking and consorting with prostitutes.’

This has only got worse. I don’t think calling this PC is the correct term for all the sexual misconduct.
I think Crime would be a better term.

Philanthropussy

I’m not saying I don’t believe you.

Cirran

Which one would you like a specific example of? SARC, or lack of leadership?

Philanthropussy

All if you can .

Scott Snoopy

greetings…cirran..trolls like pussy there just babble…You are right about political officers; the military is seeing more and more politicians in uniform and it kills morale. Under the current regime; warriors are being weeded out from field grade, sr ncos and flag officers…soon we will be the PC military and it will take another 30+yrs to rebuild it, if it can ever be done with all the PC changes that have been made

Sgt Snuffy

Was watching Stossel on Fox News the other night, and he had the figures for the civilian government workers in the country 22 million government “Civilian” workers. These folks have an average wage of almost 100,000 dollar a year job. Our Folks in the Military????? About or maybe a little over a million active duty????? Yet they are the ones they want to cut back on. Military retirees??? Less than a mil??? Yet again the Democrats want to get rid of US. Everytime we have a Democrat Regime in Power in this Country they always, always go after the Military. And if you really look at historical fact it’s been mostly the Democrats that have gotten US into major wars.

Philanthropussy

You do know lots of the civilian contractors are retried military. Must be nice to get 2 paychecks from the gov

Cirran

I will be able to retire in about 2 years. Yet I will not see a military retirement check untill I hit the age of retirement. What you say does apply to some military retirees but not all. Also, have you looked at what military retirees get paid?

Philanthropussy

I just checked with the 4 military vets at work and all said they started getting paid the month after filling out retirement forms, so you need to check into your pay . Secondly, gov contactors vet are usually E-6 or above.

Cirran

I am going to guess they are active duty retirees. I will be an AFRC retiree. No retirement untill 65 or so.

Philanthropussy

I don’t know about that. Did they tell you why?

Scott Snoopy

yes its the law that governs reserve retiree pay

Philanthropussy

That’s too bad. Is there an age limit?

Scott Snoopy

wtf are you talking about age limit? the law does not allow reservists to collect their retirement until 62 or 65…

Philanthropussy

Relax, I meant, do they force you out at a certain age?????

Scott Snoopy

age limits have changed over the years,…rank comes into play…for someone who states they were a Vet you should have some knowledge of this

Philanthropussy

And I didn’t know if the rules were different for reservists.

Scott Snoopy

yes they are, vastly…

Philanthropussy

After I left in 1990. I never looked back.

David F Lanphere

People who were on Active Duty the entire time they were in the Service, get paid right away, while those people who were in the Reserves have to wait until they are retired from the Reserves at the age of 65 or so.

Philanthropussy

Thanks for the info. When I got out I was told about joining the reserve but dicided not to.

David F Lanphere

If you earn the money, you deserve the pay. Did you spend 20 years or more getting shot at, and sleeping on the ground in extreme weather conditions?

Philanthropussy

That has nothing to do with wgat we are talking about. Please don’t high jack this post without reading all involved.

Reba

She served, what is your point?

Scott Snoopy

and the problem with two careers is? How many politicians are receiving two, three or four “retirement” checks? In PA we have many state officials receiving “retirement” from local, county, and state positions..the really ambitious one even draw “retirement” from being in the US House as Reps….

Philanthropussy

Yes, I know. I heard those stories too. BUT, it’s legal, so go for it. Like people who object to the rich taking advange of tax loop holes. It’s all legal .

Scott Snoopy

One of the biggest sins in the modern military is the number of flag rank officers and their associated staffs. We have more flag officers today than at the height of WWII when we had over 80 active duty Army divisions…there were more flag officers in Iraq than in Northern Africa and Italy in WWII.

Many of the contractors were privates in days gone by. When the first BRAC came about these positions became civilian slots to show how we cut the military…cut it with more expensive contract to gubmint union employees….that’s political savings.

Reba

Let’s see, you are slamming Civilian Workers, because Obama is cutting the Military? Well, let me give you an update: While the Military continued to receive pay raises, Civilians Pay were frozen. When Positions were open, Military Spouses and Military Vets had priority to fill the positions. Oh yea, many of the ones that retired, walked back in the next day in the same position as a Civilian; even if someone else was more qualified. As for Contractors, the reason they converted Contractors to Civilian Positions was the Contractor was sucking the Budgets Dry, not the employee, but the Contractor. As for the $100,000.00 salary, I was in for almost 40 years and never got close. Before you Bitch about Civilian Employees, look at what the Elected Officials receive and the Civilians that Obama has put into the positions. I guarantee you it’s not the everyday hard worker that supports our Troops every day of their career. This is from a Military Brat that never got a job based on being a Military Spouse. I did it on my own and I earned every damn penny I received. PS: I was a Budget/Financial Manager.

Reba

Let’s see, you are slamming Civilian Workers, because Obama is cutting the Military? Well, let me give you an update: While the Military continued to receive pay raises, Civilians Pay were frozen. When Positions were open, Military Spouses and Military Vets had priority to fill the positions. Oh yea, many of the ones that retired, walked back in the next day in the same position as a Civilian; even if someone else was more qualified. As for Contractors, the reason they converted Contractors to Civilian Positions was the Contractor was sucking the Budgets Dry, not the employee, but the Contractor. As for the $100,000.00 salary, I was in for almost 40 years and never got close. Before you Bitch about Civilian Employees, look at what the Elected Officials receive and the Civilians that Obama has put into the positions. I guarantee you it’s not the everyday hard worker that supports our Troops every day of their career. This is from a Military Brat that never got a job based on being a Military Spouse. I did it on my own and I earned every damn penny I received. PS: I was a Budget/Financial Manager.

Sgt Snuffy

Sorry Reba, really didn’t mean to step on your toes. I was in for 21 years and medically retired with a piece of stainless steel holding my neck vertebrae in place. Most of the civilians I ran into thought they were gods gift to the military, no matter were I was stationed it was the same. Many times I would go with my troops when they had to deal with the civilian side of the house just to prevent altercations. A lot of them were rude and down right disdainful of us active duty slubs. There were a couple that were good folks but they were few and far between. So again I apologize for lumping you in with the bad apples. But you have to grant me a couple of items though, every time we have a Democrat Controlled regime they do go after the Active Duty and National Guard folks for budget and pay cuts. And one last item, I can’t even count on my fingers and toes the Holidays, Birthdays and Anniversaries that I missed over the years because of either being down range or overseas.

Reba

Thank you for your Service. I get torqued when people merge
everyone into a group. You always have bad and good in everything and grouping everyone into one group is not fair to
anyone. Yes, this man has destroyed just about everything I was brought up to believe in. I’m a staunch Military supporter and have been my whole life and it followed me to my jobs. Yes, there are bad Civil Servants and I have worked with them, as well as some bad Military. The longer I worked the more changes I saw in some Civil Servants and the new Military coming in. When I retired in 2012, I could not believe the changes that were going on. Although I miss what I did, I do not miss the changes that were going on. Obama has made the Civil Servants and Military look bad and it’s damn sad. Individuals that have never worked with the Government
Budget do not understand that the Military, Civilians and Entitlements should be the last thing they cut. Not saying I don’t think things could be cut, but that the Budget holds many Line Items that they could cut, before Military, Civilians and Entitlements are cut. This is from a Budget/Financial Manager.

(And one last item, I can’t even count on my fingers and toes the Holidays, Birthdays and Anniversaries that I missed over the years because of either being down range or overseas.) This is from a little girl who her Daddy was her world, that missed her Daddy on Holidays, Birthdays and just every day that he was gone. I still remember asking my Daddy why he had to leave and he always told me; it is “What I Chose to Do” and “Protect Our Country” and “My Family”. What can a little girl say to that?

Philanthropussy

Funny, when Amer teachers , police, firefighters, EMT’s are told to forgo pay increases due to budget cuts, it’s nessassory . But not for the military. I know plenty of teachers who would be happy with 1%. Better than nothing .

Trish52

They shouldn’t have to give up anything considering what the do for this country!! You should try it, then talk!!

Philanthropussy

Dear , I did try it, USN vet. So let me tell you not all jobs in the military require you to put your life on the line. I think it s unfair for this country to automatically treat the military differently than public servants who go without for pay raises. You do know that many teachers work their 8 in a classroom, go home and work 2 more school work for free. Police depts who don’t have the budget to buy proper body armor .or repair equipment ? Tell me how a Clothing repair spec , or band member, or an Army admin assistant deserves a pay rise over a HOT SHOT fire fighter stationed near in AZ wildfires? Or a teacher who is not compensated for school suppilies she has to buy Hesselbeck. Or a police officer in the inner city who knows thugs on the streets has better fire power than he does?
How is it that the USN has the money to train a NANOSYSTEM ENG, but the city of New Orleans didn’t ‘t have the money to replace all the firetucks they lost in Katrina ?
You are aware military doc “practice ” boob jobs and lipo on female service members , wives and daughters. It’s great that these doc can go into private practice and charge strippers in Vegas 7 k for the same service.

El Gato

I’d believe that senior officers would be willing to make that trade off. And even some troops. When the stuff hits the fan, money ain’t going to help you much, but good weapons and plenty of ammo will surely help.

But Congress should restrict unearned “entitlements” before taking money from the troops.

diditweetthat

“Troops supposedly willing to sacrifice pay for training and equipment

Can I just pretend I’m a lofo conservative and just read the headline.

“supposedly”… gosh, I know what this article is about. (oh wait, understanding NUANCE in the American Language…Apparently I’m still a “liberal”)

R Durkin

Did you actually read the article…

diditweetthat

Yes

Did you?

diditweetthat

Oh, you didn’t mention this was a story about conservatives.

“However, the personnel officials who offered testimony before the subcommittee could offer only personal anecdotes to back up their belief that troops would welcome pay and benefit cuts. No survey results were offered.”

David F Lanphere

Colonel West, When I was first in the Navy, a senior Petty Officer suggested I could order repair parts on my own dime if I really needed to repair something right away, and had to wait too long for them to come from Supply. I had no problem with this if it was a small electronic component that I could buy from a local vendor. Now we know that the democrats would rather spend money on free cell phones and other such nonsense than to actually finance the Military. The Constitution actually says there shall be a Navy, it doesn’t say anything about a free cell phone for the lazy among us.

I know that there are some items or programs that the Military spends too much on, and we should take care of that problem, without the interference of the politicians who have a vested interest in some of these worthless programs. We have shipyards that do shoddy repair work without repercussions, and we have to pay them anyway. I could fill pages, but I will spare you. The bottom line is, personnel need training to be proficient at their various disciplines, or they will not be able to do their jobs, and some will die needlessly. I know that the politicians don’t really care, because the Troops make up such a small percentage of the general population, and A lot of them vote republican anyway, so they really don’t care. I have seen and heard the president and his wife encouraging volunteerism and helping Vets, as if it were a novel idea. I have news for them, we already volunteered just by joining, and we do take care of our Brothers and Sisters in arms. He and his democrats/progressives show they care by not giving any of us a cost of living raise since they have been in office, and this includes when the Clintons were in office. Soldiers are trained to kill the enemy and break the enemy’s toys, they are not trained to be counselors for the enemy soldiers and civilians. Some of us enjoy the chance to interact with people from other places, but we don’t enjoy being killed by them after exerting all the effort to befriend and train them. We go to a bad place, kill the enemy and then go home. That is what we are trained to do, not be treated like cannon fodder by some progressive politician who thinks he is better than we are.

diditweetthat

“that troops are willing to sacrifice portions of their pay and benefits if it means keeping and improving the training and equipment needed to do their jobs.”

About time those welfare queens, what with their subsidized housing, free meals, free health care, pensions,ETC… started to take an interest in their own lives, what with a desire to learn more and have equipment that keeps them from dying… a good investment in my eyes.

Way to use those bootstraps you freeloaders.

Way to get those freeloaders to want more from life, federal government and military. After all, these guys are going to be replaced by robots anyway.

Scott Snoopy

what a class troll you are…no doubt you are a one of the welfare class who truly does suck off the hind teat at the freebie trough.

One wonderful all expense paid trip to Astan and you too can see how free everything is. Those “free” items are earned every single penny’s worth…those posh living quarters at a FOB, those fine MREs, that free healthcare when being med-evacted after being shot, yeah its all free.

bye now…after reading your other comments its obvious your mission in life is to be a pain in the ass; have fun with that, what a pathetic way to live life.

diditweetthat

Astan… did you just spoil a TOP SECRET?

Scott Snoopy

bye dipshit…only the totally uneducated or a wise ass would not know Astan…afghanistan; I will give you points for both..good bye; your trolling has greatly detracted from the conversation and wasted space/time

The troops are putting their lives on the line and some even pay that ultimate price. Do you truly disdain the price they pay for your freedom?

diditweetthat

NO, I believe we should spend money on the troops. It’s the GOP that wants to treat the returning soldiers that weren’t heroic enough to actually die for their country, like stray dogs, left to die when they return home.

I also wanted to point out our most SOCIALIST organization. The MILITARY.

Rapier Half-Witt

I’m neither Republican nor a gigantic fan of the military industrial complex. I was just amazed by the tone of your post that indicated to me that you really held the lives of service members in such disdain. Some people really do. I can only go by what I interpreted from your post. Either you didn’t word it well enough or your point was filtered through my world view, or somewhere inbetween.

diditweetthat

Yes, I’m misunderstood a lot.

My dripping sarcasm sometimes doesn’t sink in. … and you may have noted the reason.

I am the KING OF IRONY one friend says, in a not so ironic way.

Scott Snoopy

it never ceases to amaze how the media takes unsubstantiated scuttlebutt as gospel truth. In my years in uniform, I never once heard a private or any other service member say they would gladly take a cut in pay for more training…yes sir those private got rich back then with base pay of $560, new 2nd LTs at $1100…we were raking in the big bucks..on a 40hr wk,,,$3.60 an hr..6.87 an hr…

jimwilson81

I remember Obama saying that military veterans should be paying for their own insurance. He has never been a friend to the military or veterans. And look how many commanders he has removed and forced into retirement. He is trying to declaw the military while at the same time sending money to people who hate us.

Meet Allen West

Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family.

During his 22 year career in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was a Battalion Commander in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, and later in Afghanistan.